Mobiles to show traffic jams

Drivers will be able to see pictures of motorway holdups on their mobile phone in a new jam-busting service being investigated by videophone operator 3.

The scheme will allow drivers to view road conditions as they are happening and thus avoid congestion.

Cameras placed at roadsides would relay live footage of traffic hotspots to a customer's video-phone.

At present, motorists can receive reports warning of possible delays via in-car systems such as Trafficmaster or by dialling a special number on a normal mobile phone.

The proposed new system would allow drivers to judge the severity of a traffic jam. They would also be able to see whether the problem was caused by an accident, road works or a bottleneck.

A spokesman for 3 communications said: "If you are stuck, there is nothing more annoying than not knowing how long you might be there.

"This will give motorists the chance to check the state of the roads for themselves and plan a journey to avoid being stuck for a long time in a major traffic jam."

At first the scheme would cover notorious blackspots such as the M25, the M1, the M4 and the M6 around Birmingham and Manchester, but if successful it would extend to other congested areas.